'Halfway house' operator eyes closed convent in Millville's 3rd Ward

Hendricks House, a halfway house operator, proposes using a portion of the former St. Mary Magdalen Regional School and the associated convent as a treatment facility for drug addiction and alcoholism. The buildings are among five structures on a 2.55-acre property at 621 Dock Street in Millville's Third Ward.(Photo: File photo)

MILLVILLE - A former convent and a small portion of the former St. Mary Magdalen Regional School would be adapted as a residential treatment facility for people diagnosed with drug addiction or alcoholism, if the plan can pass a municipal zoning review.

The proposal is one of two on the agenda for Thursday night’s Zoning Board meeting at City Hall.

The convent and school are among five structures, including a church, that are contained within a 2.25-acre property at 621 Dock St. that belongs to All Saints Parish. The area is classified for residential development.

The proposal is from Vineland-based Hendricks House Inc., a nonprofit operator of two other “halfway houses” that has a lease agreement with the parish. The city’s public school system presently leases the school for its high school alternative education program. Its R.D. Wood Elementary School is across the street from the convent.

Hendricks House is arguing that, while a halfway house is not a specifically permitted use in this kind of residential area, a city ordinance does allow state-licensed facilities for “mentally ill” persons.

However, the city ordinance allows no more than 15 people to live at such a facility and the nonprofit wants to house up to 40 people. Hendricks House is seeking a variance from the board on that issue.

The former convent, at the corner of Dock and Powell streets, would be used for living and treatment rooms. Offices would be established in the former school, taking up 1,980 square feet. The two-story structure has about 10,800 square feet.

The municipal ordinance the nonprofit is citing states: “Community residences for the developmentally disabled are licensed facilities with provide services to no more than 15 developmentally disabled or mentally ill persons.”

Hendricks House also has halfway houses in Vineland and Galloway Township.